Processing of a user device game-playing transaction based on location

ABSTRACT

An exemplary method comprises receiving information associated with a game-playing transaction conducted between a user device and a game-playing terminal, wherein the game-playing transaction is associated with a request for playing a game; determining a location of the user device associated with the game; determining the user device is located in an approved location associated with the game; and processing the game-playing transaction based on determining the user device is located in the approved location associated with the game. The game-playing transaction is conducted on a first communication interface, and the information associated with the game-playing transaction is received on a first or second communication interface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/856,421 filed on Sep. 16, 2015, and is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/958,720 filed on Dec. 3, 2015, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,672,697 on Jun. 6, 2017, which is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/018,276 filed on Sep. 4, 2013, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,227,136 on Jan. 5, 2016, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/696,533 filed on Sep. 4, 2012, all the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to game play systems.

BACKGROUND

Many governments have passed laws permitting lottery games to be legalized within their borders. These laws are due to the public support for this style of entertainment. Currently, these games are presented through specific manned terminals that connect to lottery operators—corporations responsible for running the lottery games. While these games have proven to be popular, a large segment of the population does not participate. This is due to many factors including a lack of desire to interact with personnel running the game kiosks, the inconvenience of the manned terminals, the concern over losing a ticket, and, more recently, the lack of cash to play the games as many people are only using payment cards for purchases.

In addition, due to regulatory restrictions, the sale of lottery products is restricted to be within the borders of the government regulating the lottery games. Therefore, existing sales solutions used on mobile devices such as handheld devices and smart phones are not appropriate for the sale of the lottery games because they lack assurances that the mobile device is located within the borders of the government regulating the lottery game.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a device is provided for approving game-playing transactions. The device comprises a first communication interface, the first communication interface comprising a Bluetooth interface such as a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) interface; a second communication interface; and a processor configured to: receive a first request from a user of the device, the first request being associated with a game; conduct, over the first communication interface, a first transaction, the first transaction comprising reception of first information over the first communication interface, and send, over the second communication interface, a second request associated with the game. The first request or the second request is approved based on: determining a location associated with conducting the first transaction or sending the second request, and determining the location is an approved location associated with the game.

In some embodiments, the device is further configured to prompt a user of the device to play the game in response to determining the device is with a threshold distance of a beacon with which the first transaction is conducted. In some embodiments, the beacon may be a Bluetooth interface such as BLE terminal.

In some embodiments, the second communication interface comprises a Wi-Fi or cellular interface.

In some embodiments, the device is comprised in or part of a motor vehicle.

In some embodiments, the second request comprises at least one of a purchase request, the first request, or the first information.

In some embodiments, the location is determined based on global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the device.

In some embodiments, the device comprises a mobile device or a non-mobile device.

In some embodiments, the second request is approved further based on determining a period of validity associated with the first information has not expired.

In some embodiments, the second request is approved further based on: determining a gaming authority associated with the game; and determining the user is located in an approved jurisdiction associated with the gaming authority for the game.

In some embodiments, the location is determined based on input received at the device.

In some embodiments, the second communication interface is associated with longer range communication compared to the first communication interface.

In some embodiments, the location is determined by at least one of the device or by a second device that receives the second request from the device.

In some embodiments, a method is provided for processing game-playing transactions. The method comprises receiving information associated with a game-playing transaction conducted, via a Bluetooth interface such as a BLE interface, between a user device and a game-playing terminal, wherein the game-playing transaction is associated with a request for playing a game; determining a location of the user device associated with the game; determining the user device is located in an approved location associated with the game; and processing the game-playing transaction based on determining the user device is located in the approved location associated with the game. The game-playing transaction is conducted on a first communication interface, and the information associated with the game-playing transaction is received on a second communication interface.

In some embodiments, the user device comprises a game-playing application.

In some embodiments, the game comprises a lottery game.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining a period of validity associated with the information has not expired, and processing the game-playing request based on determining the period of validity associated with the information has not expired.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises processing the game-playing transaction based on: determining a merchant associated with the location of the user device or the game-playing terminal; cross-referencing a list of approved merchants associated with the location of the user device or the game-playing terminal; and determining the merchant is present on the list of approved merchants.

In some embodiments, the game-playing terminal comprises either an electronic game-playing terminal or a non-electronic game playing terminal.

In some embodiments, another device is provided for processing game-playing transactions. The device is configured to receive information associated with a game-playing transaction conducted, via a Bluetooth interface such as a BLE interface, between a user device and a game-playing terminal, wherein the game-playing transaction is associated with a request for playing a game using the user device; and process the game-playing transaction based on determining the user device is located in an approved location associated with the game, wherein the location of the user device is determined either by the device or the user device. The game-playing transaction is conducted on a first communication interface, and the information is received on a second communication interface.

In some embodiments, the second communication interface is associated with longer-range communication compared to the first communication interface.

In some embodiments, the game-playing transaction comprises a game-requesting transaction or a game-purchasing transaction.

In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium may be encoded thereon with a program or code that when executed by a processor of a user device, causes the processor to perform the various methods described herein.

In some embodiments, a device is provided for processing game-playing transactions. The device comprises a first communication interface; a second communication interface; and a processor configured to: receive a first request from a user of the device, the first request being associated with a game; conduct, over the first communication interface, a first transaction, the first transaction comprising transmission or reception of first information over the first communication interface, and send, over the second communication interface, a second request associated with the game. The first request or the second request is processed based on: determining a location associated with conducting the first transaction or sending the second request, and determining the location is an approved location associated with the game.

In some embodiments, the first communication interface comprises at least one of a Bluetooth interface, a near-field communication (NFC) interface, or a code-based interface.

In some embodiments, the second communication interface comprises a Wi-Fi or cellular interface.

In some embodiments, the first communication interface and the second communication interface are the same communication interface.

In some embodiments, the second request comprises at least one of a purchase request, the first request, or the first information.

In some embodiments, the location is determined based on global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the device.

In some embodiments, the device comprises a mobile device or a non-mobile device.

In some embodiments, the second request is approved further based on determining a period of validity associated with the first information has not expired.

In some embodiments, the second request is approved further based on: determining a gaming authority associated with the game; and determining the user is located in an approved jurisdiction associated with the gaming authority for the game.

In some embodiments, the second communication interface is associated with longer range communication compared to the first communication interface.

In some embodiments, the location is determined by at least one of the device or by a second device that receives the second request from the device.

In some embodiments, a method is provided for processing game-playing transactions. The method comprises receiving information associated with a game-playing transaction conducted between a user device and a game-playing terminal, wherein the game-playing transaction is associated with a request for playing a game; determining a location of the user device associated with the game; determining the user device is located in an approved location associated with the game; and processing the game-playing transaction based on determining the user device is located in the approved location associated with the game. The game-playing transaction is conducted on a first communication interface, and the information associated with the game-playing transaction is received on a second communication interface.

In some embodiments, the first communication interface comprises at least one of a Bluetooth interface, a near-field communication (NFC) interface, or a code-based interface.

In some embodiments, the game comprises a lottery game.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining a period of validity associated with the information has not expired, and processing the game-playing request based on determining the period of validity associated with the information has not expired.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises processing the game-playing transaction based on: determining a merchant associated with the location of the user device or the game-playing terminal; cross-referencing a list of approved merchants associated with the location of the user device or the game-playing terminal; and determining the merchant is present on the list of approved merchants.

In some embodiments, the game-playing terminal comprises either an electronic game-playing terminal or a non-electronic game playing terminal.

In some embodiments, a device is provided for processing game-playing transactions. The device is configured to: receive information associated with a game-playing transaction conducted between a user device and a game-playing terminal, wherein the game-playing transaction is associated with a request for playing a game using the user device; and process the game-playing transaction based on determining the user device is located in an approved location associated with the game, wherein the location of the user device is determined either by the device or the user device. The game-playing transaction is conducted on a first communication interface, and the information is received on a second communication interface.

In some embodiments, the first communication interface comprises at least one of a Bluetooth interface, a near-field communication (NFC) interface, or a code-based interface.

In some embodiments, the game-playing transaction comprises a game-requesting transaction or a game-purchasing transaction.

According to another embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium may be encoded thereon with a program that when executed by a processor of a user device, causes the processor to perform a method that may comprise receiving a game play request from a user, obtaining barcode information associated with a barcode at a location, and sending a gaming request including the barcode information and associated with the game play request over a wireless network to a gaming facilitator.

These and other advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a game play system.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating a communications exchange server.

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating a communications exchange server.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for a game play.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are flow diagrams illustrating methods for verifying the location of a mobile device.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating processes for game play.

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are schematic diagrams illustrating input systems.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are flow diagrams illustrating processes for a mobile application-based play of a lottery system presented game.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are flow diagrams illustrating processes for a host-based play and mobile application-based play where the mobile application has a substantially constant connection of an automated lottery system presented game.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a gaming facilitator system.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating another game play system.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for processing game-playing transactions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed systems and methods make lottery games accessible to a larger segment of the population by providing an end-to-end lottery solution for integrated game play and sale of lottery products on, for example, hand held devices and smart phones using barcode technology. A player operates an application on a mobile device, which may be provided for download or supplied with the device, that allows them to select lottery games and ticketing options. In some embodiments, the selection can be made at any time and location. The selections are recorded, for example in a virtual shopping cart, by the lottery application on the mobile device. The player purchases these recorded items at locations that are, for example, pre-approved by a gaming facilitator and/or a gaming authority. The locations are equipped to verify the presence of the mobile device at the location using a barcode technology. Redemption of winning plays can be automatically deposited into an account associated with the player or at a retail location by use of, for example, a barcode sent to the mobile device.

The use of barcode technology with an application distributed to mobile devices allows for the following exemplary advantages:

-   -   Issuing and managing a trusted execution environment.     -   Assigning trusted area within a trusted execution environment to         a specific service.     -   Managing keys for a trusted execution environment.     -   Securely downloading lottery applications to enabled mobile         phones, for example by scanning a barcode and directing the user         to a secure website to download the application.     -   Personalizing applications.     -   Locking, unlocking and deleting the lottery application         according to requests from a user or service provider.     -   Providing secure logging and accounting settlement of all         lottery transactions.

The gaming facilitator enables secure data storage of lottery transactions at the device level using, for example, a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) through processing and transaction confirmation.

The UICC is a physically secure device, an integrated circuit (IC) card, or smart card, that can be inserted and removed from terminal equipment or a mobile device. The UICC may contain one or more applications and may be referred to using different terminology in different territories. A Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) is an application on the UICC containing a mobile subscriber's unique identity.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a representative embodiment of a game play system 100. A user 101 may interact with a mobile device 121. The mobile device 121 may be, for example, a handheld device or smart phone that is already familiar to the user 101 and presents a familiar interface to lottery games. The mobile device 121 may include a processor 122 that is configured to execute programming that may be stored on and/or provided to the mobile device 121. The mobile device 121 is equipped to use barcode technology thereby being able to read a barcode 123 using, for example, a camera 130 of the mobile device 121. Alternatively, or in addition, the mobile device 121 may be configured to display a barcode 132 on a display 133 of the mobile device 121 to be read by barcode reader 134.

By way of example, the barcode 123 or barcode reader 134 may be located at an ATM, a gas pump, or any other retail location. The mobile device 121 may be in communication with the gaming facilitator 125, which may be in communication with the gaming system 127. The mobile device 121 may also be in communication system with the financial system 129 directly and/or through the gaming facilitator 125. The financial system 129 may include, but is not limited to, payment processors, issuer banks, acquirer banks, payment rails, credit networks, etc. The gaming system 127 may include, but is not limited to, a gaming authority, a gaming operator (for example, state lottery operators), a gaming commission (for example, a state lottery commission), etc.

According to another embodiment, the game could be a location-specific game such as Keno or Bingo. In this embodiment, the gaming system 127 would be the computer or system that draws the number for game play. The gaming facilitator 125 would allow the user 101 to interact with the gaming system 127 at the facility. Thus, a user 101 could select a series of numbers on the mobile device 121 and store those numbers for the next gaming play. At the appropriate time, the user 101 would take the mobile device 121 to the barcode reader 134 to communicate the numbers to the gaming system 127 for play. For example, the user 101 may select a button displayed on the display 133 that causes the mobile device 121 to generate a barcode that encodes the numbers and display the barcode on the screen. The barcode reader 134 can then obtain the numbers by reading the barcode. Alternatively, the mobile device 121 may communicate the numbers to the gaming facilitator 125 in association with a reference identification assigned by the mobile device 121 or the gaming facilitator 125 for the game play. The barcode displayed by the mobile device 121 encodes this reference identification thereby enabling the retrieval and identification of the numbers when the barcode reader 134 reads the barcode, which includes the encoded reference identification.

Communications Exchange Server

To sell gaming (or more particularly lottery) tickets through point of sale devices, a communication network is used for communications between a gaming facilitator and gaming partners. Gaming partners are partners that the gaming facilitator interacts with to complete a gaming transaction, such as the gaming system or the financial system. This communication network may have desirable characteristics such as being designed to be secure, reliable, and fast. In an embodiment, each gaming partner may have their own protocol for communicating with and between their systems, servers, and remote devices. Some gaming partners utilize public protocols (e.g., ISO8583) while other gaming partners have generated their own proprietary protocols. To ensure the security of each partner's data and protocols, a server for exchanging communications between a gaming facilitator and a gaming partner may be used.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of a communications exchange server 200 that exchanges communications between a gaming facilitator 217 and a gaming partner 201. The communications 203, 215 may include transaction-specific gaming information. In some embodiments, the communications exchange server 200 is an inbound communications server (as shown) for receiving and sending communications at a gaming facilitator 217 to and from a gaming partner 201. The communications 215 between the gaming facilitator 217 and the communications exchange server 200 are multiple connections which represents a series of parallel requests. The communications 203 between the communications exchange server 200 and the gaming partner 201 are a single connection which represents a series of serialized requests. In those embodiments, the communications exchange server may be located at the gaming facilitator.

In some embodiments, the communications exchange server 200 is an outbound communications server (not shown) for receiving and sending communications at a gaming facilitator 217 to and from a gaming partner 201. The communications between the gaming facilitator 217 and the communications exchange server 200 are a single connection which represents a series of serial requests. The communications between the communications exchange server 200 and the gaming partner 201 are multiple connections which represent a series of parallel requests. In those embodiments, the communications exchange server may be located at a gaming partner's site, for example, at a Lottery Operator. A gaming facilitator may send a single request to a communications exchange server that a Lottery Operator send a number of tickets (e.g., “give me 20 tickets”). The communications exchange server may turn that request into a number of requests for one ticket (e.g., 20 requests of, “give me one ticket”), resulting in a number of tickets (e.g., 20 tickets) being generated.

FIG. 2B is a more detailed schematic diagram of a communications exchange server 200 that exchanges communications between a gaming facilitator 217 and a gaming partner 201. The device 200 may include a translation module 205, encryption and decryption module 209, memory module 211, processing (CPU) module 207, multiplexer 212, and demultiplexer 213. The translation module 205 may translate communications between a gaming facilitator 217 and a gaming partner 201 by translating between a communication protocol used by the gaming partner 201 (e.g., a proprietary format of the gaming partner 201) and a communication protocol used by the gaming facilitator 217 (e.g., a proprietary format of the gaming facilitator 217). The encryption and decryption module 209 may encrypt and/or decrypt communications 215 between the gaming facilitator 217 and gaming partner 201. For example, data arriving at connection 215 from the gaming facilitator 217 may be encrypted. The encryption and decryption module 209 may decrypt the data such that it can be processed by the communications exchange server at the processor 207. Encryption keys may be used and may be updated at arbitrary times. Further, it may be desired that outgoing data at connection 215 to the gaming facilitator 217 or at connection 203 to the gaming partner 201 be encrypted before it is sent. Accordingly, the encryption and decryption module 209 may encrypt the data according to encryption protocols used by the gaming partner 201 and/or gaming facilitator 217. The memory module 211 may store information from the communications 203, 215 between the gaming facilitator 217 and gaming partner 201. The memory module 211 may also store gaming information. In an embodiment, the memory module 211 is a cache for storing gaming information and Bank Information. The cache 211 may store non-transaction specific gaming information. The cache 211 may also store game-related logic or a portion of game-related logic. The memory module 211 may also be program memory including logic or instructions accessible by the processor module 207. The processing module 207 may process the communications 203, 215 between the gaming partner 201 and the gaming facilitator 217. The translation module 205, encryption and decryption module 209, memory module 211, and processing module 207 are communicatively connected.

As discussed above, the communications exchange server 200 may be considered as an inbound or an outbound communications server. Inbound communications at connection 215, from one or more gaming partners 201 to gaming facilitator 217 may be multiplexed by the multiplexer 212. Outbound communications at connection 203 from the gaming facilitator 217 to the one or more gaming partners 201 may be demultiplexed by the demultiplexer 213.

FIG. 2B depicts a single translation module 205, memory module 211, CPU module 207, encryption and decryption module 209, and communications exchange server 200 for simplicity purposes only. At any point of connection between a gaming facilitator 217 and a gaming partner 201, multiple communications exchange servers 200 may be used for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to, redundancy, speed or efficiency of the system, failure diagnostics, ease of system upgradeability, system back-ups, network monitoring, etc. Further, each communications exchange server 200 may include multiple of any modules in the server 200. For example, in some embodiments, the communications exchange server 200 includes multiple memory modules 211 and multiple CPU modules 207. The communications exchange server 200 may be made of one or more machines, one or more motherboards, one or more memory modules, etc.

In an embodiment, the communications exchange server 200 is a computer that translates the gaming partner's communication protocol into a gaming facilitator specific protocol, thereby substantially eliminating the exposure of the partner's protocol to an outside entity. A communications exchange server 200 may be placed at a gaming partner's data center, either inside or outside of the gaming partner's firewall depending upon a gaming partner's preference. The communications exchange server 200 connects to gaming facilitator data centers over a gaming facilitator provided connection. In an embodiment, the gaming facilitator provided connection is a high speed, private connection (e.g., an MPLS connection). While this type of connection provides some inherent security, communications to and from the gaming facilitator may be encrypted to provide an additional layer of protection.

Non-transaction specific information (images, game rules, game information, etc.) may be cached on the device 200 in memory module 211, which allows for rapid access to cached data. For transaction specific information, data may be passed from the gaming partner 201 to the communications exchange server 200 which then encrypts the data and passes the request to a gaming facilitator 217 via a gaming facilitator provided connection.

The communications exchange server 200 may be used with a variety of gaming partners 201 including, but not limited to, lottery authorities, banking systems, and other payment systems. Further, the communications exchange server 200 may be located at a gaming partner location or at a gaming facilitator location.

User Registration

In an embodiment, a gaming facilitator system may include a user registration server. The user registration server allows users to register with the gaming facilitator system. Registering may allow users to check to see their play history, set spending limits, to select favorite numbers to be played, and to configure how they wish to be notified of their play status. In an embodiment, users may have an online account with the gaming facilitator system in which they may register, configure and make selections for their account with the gaming facilitator system.

Information identifying the registration of the associated information (the play history, spending limits, favorite numbers, notification configuration, etc) may be stored on the gaming facilitator system or on the mobile device 121 as a part of or in association with a gaming application stored on the mobile device 121.

Play Overview

FIG. 3 is a high-level flow diagram illustrating a process for a gaming system transaction such as a lottery transaction. At action 301, the mobile device 121 obtains the gaming application. The application may be obtained directly or indirectly from the gaming facilitator 125. The gaming application can be obtained at anytime prior to gaming purchase.

The action 301 may be omitted if the mobile device already has the gaming application. For example, the gaming application may be preloaded on the mobile device 121 at the time of purchase of the mobile device 121.

At action 303, the user 101 selects a game type and ticketing option for gaming play. Game types include but are not limited to lottery play including draw, instant, and any other games offered by the jurisdiction's gaming authority. Other games may include location-specific games, such as Keno or Bingo. The jurisdiction's gaming authority may limit the available game types to approved game types. The selecting of ticketing options may include a number of tickets, numbers played, etc.

In some embodiments, the user 101 can select the game type and ticketing options at any time and in any location even prior to entering an approved retail location. In these embodiments, the gaming application may store the selected game type and ticketing options in, for example, a virtual shopping cart to be recalled at a later time to complete the transaction. The gaming application may also record previous selections and favorite selections such as favorite numbers to allow easier selection by the user 101.

At action 305, the end user presses a “ready to play” or checkout button in the mobile application. The game play system 100 verifies the location of the mobile device 121 and facilitates the user 101's gaming purchase using a method such as those described in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

FIG. 4A is a flow diagram illustrating a first exemplary method for verifying the location of the mobile device 121 and facilitating the user 101's gaming purchase.

At action 401, the gaming application prompts the user to scan a barcode at the location. The barcode may be scanned by a peripheral device attached to the mobile device 121 or by the camera 130 of the mobile device 121. The barcode may be a static barcode displayed at the location, for example on a poster or on a gas pump, or a dynamic barcode generated by a device, such as an ATM or a display incorporated in a gas pump, at the location. The barcode may be valid only for a period of time preventing the reuse of an old barcode at another location.

At action 403, the gaming application sends a gaming request including the selected game type and ticketing option along with the scanned barcode information to the gaming facilitator 125 using a mobile network such as Wi-Fi or CDMA/GSM. The scanned barcode information may include the barcode itself as an image file or as information encoded within the barcode that is decoded by the gaming application prior to sending the request.

At action 405, the gaming facilitator 125 processes a location verification of the mobile device 121, checks game availability, play limits and other lottery game play parameters. Location verification can be performed by a variety of means. According to one embodiment, the merchant may be required to be included on a list of pre-approved merchants to vend gaming tickets at the location. This list can be maintained by an appropriate authority, such as a facilitator or gaming authority. The gaming facilitator 125 cross-references the scanned barcode information to determine if the scanned barcode information corresponds with the location. The gaming facilitator 125 may also cross-reference a period of validity associated with the scanned barcode information to confirm that the scanned barcode is a recent and valid barcode.

According to another embodiment, location verification can be performed by other technology within the mobile device, such as GPS or radio tower triangulation. Ultimately, most gaming facilitators will need to take sufficient steps to confirm that the purchaser of the tickets is physically located within the jurisdiction of the gaming authority to avoid any legal complications associated with selling gaming tickets outside of the jurisdiction of the gaming authority.

At action 407, the gaming facilitator 125 processes transaction payment through, for example, an integrated standardized ticketing system with eWallet platforms or a direct gateway to payment processing partners. The mobile application may also process payment using other methods at a retail location, such as through the use of a Near Field Communications (NFC) Transaction Anchor Point (TAP). In some embodiments, the gaming facilitator 125 communicates with the payment processing partners to obtain payment.

FIG. 4B is a flow diagram illustrating a second exemplary method for verifying the location of the mobile device 121 and facilitating the user 101's gaming purchase.

At action 451, the gaming application sends a gaming request including the selected game type and ticketing option to the gaming facilitator 125 using a mobile network such as Wi-Fi or CDMA/GSM. The gaming request is identifiable based on content or a reference identifier assigned by the gaming application or the gaming facilitator 125. Thus, communication between the mobile device 121 and the gaming facilitator 125 may be one or two way. Note that as explained below, this step is optional in some embodiments.

At action 453, the gaming application generates a barcode encoding the reference identifier and displays the barcode on the display 133.

At action 455, the user presents the displayed barcode to a terminal at the location. The terminal may be, for example, an ATM machine, a gas pump, or a stand alone device. The terminal reads the barcode displayed on the mobile device 121 and sends a notification to the gaming facilitator 125 that the barcode was read at the location. The terminal may send an image of the barcode or information encoded by the barcode that is decoded by the terminal.

In another embodiment, the barcode generated by the mobile application includes some or all of the information included in the gaming request, which may reduce the amount of information that is sent from the mobile device 121 to the gaming facilitator 125 with a larger portion of the information in the gaming request then being sent by the terminal that reads and decodes the barcode to the gaming facilitator. In the case where all of the information in the gaming request is encoded in the barcode, it is not necessary for the mobile device 121 to itself send any information to the gaming facilitator 125 (the information being sent by the terminal reading the barcode) nor is the reference identifier needed. The mobile device 121 may also transmit information to the terminal over a short range wireless connection such as WiFi or Bluetooth to reduce the amount of information encoded in the barcode.

At action 457, the gaming facilitator 125 processes a location verification of the terminal if needed or required by the gaming system to verify eligibility of play at the location of the terminal, checks game availability, play limits and other lottery game play parameters.

At action 459, the gaming facilitator 125 processes transaction payment through, for example, an integrated standardized ticketing system with eWallet platforms or a direct gateway to payment processing partners. The mobile application may also process payment using other methods at a retail location, such as through the use of a Near Field Communications (NFC) transaction anchor point (TAP). In some embodiments, the gaming facilitator 125 communicates with the payment processing partners to obtain payment.

Returning now to FIG. 3, at action 307, upon payment authorization, the gaming facilitator 125 sends the ticket request to a computerized gaming system (CGS), such as gaming system 127. The gaming system may use a Random Number Generator (RNG) to produce the gaming play. In an embodiment using a “Virtual Instant Ticket,” the RNG may not be used but the purchase will be sent to the CGS for processing and balancing. The gaming system 127, in communication with the gaming facilitator 125, verifies and completes the gaming transaction. According to another embodiment, pre-existing or favorite numbers can be entered or stored in the mobile device 121 or at the gaming facilitator 125. These numbers are sent to the gaming system 127 at step 307.

At action 309, the gaming facilitator 125 sends the gaming transaction information to the Internal Control System (ICS) of the gaming system 127 for independent logging. This action is not always requested and may not be present in some embodiments.

At action 311, the gaming facilitator 125 sends a notification of the purchase status to the gaming application. This notification may include, for example, numbers played, ticket serial number, date of draw, and payment authorization code along with other transaction specific information. In some embodiments the notification includes a numeric redemption code, a scannable barcode such as a QR code, or any other type of redeemable code that can be securely sent to the mobile application along with the notification. The barcode or redemption code can be used after a draw to check and claim winning numbers at an existing gaming/lottery terminal or retail location.

In the case where the transaction was not able to be completed, information notifying of the failure to complete may be sent to the mobile device 121. The notification may include other information associated with the failure, for example, what exception caused the failure.

In some embodiments, automated paperless receipts are provided to indicate numbers and games played. This notification may be sent via multiple methodologies including email, wireless delivery to mobile devices utilizing SMS text or device specific applications, RSS feed, or feeds into Twitter, Facebook or other social media accounts.

The notification may also include an automated remote notification that may be sent to the user 101 indicating play status (winner, winner of a certain amount of money, winner with manual redemption, non-winner, winning numbers, what the winning numbers were if the game was lost, game jackpots, game statistics, and other statistics). Notifications may be sent directly to the user 101 through the gaming application as well as via wireless delivery to a mobile device or email address using, for example, SMS text, email, RSS feed to Twitter, Facebook or other social media account, through device specific apps (i.e. iPhone, BlackBerry, or PDA apps) and, through automated lottery system web sites.

Redemption

When the user 101 wins a game, the user 101 will want to redeem his or her winnings. At action 313, a winner identification interface of the mobile application utilizes transaction data to query data from the gaming facilitator 125 to find winning ticket numbers. The data may be separated into three categories: non-winning tickets, winning tickets available for auto-redemption, and winning tickets available for manual claims. An additional winner verification system that a lottery facilitator may provide may be used by a game administrator to verify the integrity of tickets and to validate that a presented ticket is a winner for items that are manually claimed. The gaming facilitator 125 obtains the queried data from the gaming system 127 and provides it to the mobile application.

At action 315, the mobile application facilitates the redemption of winnings. Redemption may be completed using a variety of methods selected based on, for example, a selection of a preferred method by the user 101 or the amount of the winnings.

As a first example, the mobile application may provide for the display of the barcode received in the notification in connection with action 311. A retail location can then read the barcode to verify the win and provide the winnings.

As a second example, the winnings are automatically deposited to an account associated with the user 101. In some embodiments, the user 101 may tap the mobile device 121 to a NFC TAP to initiate a transfer of funds through financial system 129. An eWallet system may also be accessed for an auto-deposit of winning tickets through a point of sale terminal, debit, and/or credit network to allow for the redemption of winning tickets under a taxable or manually verifiable limit via a pin-less debit card or credit card transaction. A unique terminal number may be used for this transaction, and a pin or card may or may not be used for completion of the transaction.

FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram illustrating a process for a game play. At action 501, the mobile device 121 downloads the mobile application from the gaming facilitator 125. At action 503, the user 101 uses the mobile application running on the mobile device 121 to select game play and ticketing options. The user 101 may make the game play and ticketing option selections at anytime prior to entering an approved retail location. At action 505, the user 101 presses a checkout or ready to play button displayed on the mobile device 121. At action 507, the user scans the barcode 123 displayed at the retail location. At action 509, the mobile device 121 sends a request associated with the game play request including the barcode information to the gaming facilitator 125. The request may include an image of the barcode, a value representing information encoded by the barcode, or other information to verify that the user was in a location at which the barcode was displayed.

At action 511, the gaming facilitator 125 verifies the location of the mobile device 121 based on the barcode information provided in the game play request. As mentioned previously, the physical location of the user and the mobile device at the time of the payment transaction can have implications for the legality of the transaction, depending upon the laws of the jurisdiction in which the gaming authority is operating.

At action 513A, the gaming facilitator 125 processes payment authorization through a direct gateway with financial system 129. In other embodiments, payment may be processed directly between the mobile device 121 and the financial system 129 as shown in action 513B. In still other embodiments, payment may be processed by tapping the mobile device 121 to a Near Field Communications (NFC) Transaction Anchor Point (TAP) 520 as shown in action 513C. In this embodiment, the NFC TAP 520 initiates the payment instruction to the financial system 129, as shown in action 513D.

At action 515, the gaming facilitator 125 sends a ticketing request to the gaming system 127, for example the lottery authority in the jurisdiction, which verifies and completes the gaming transaction.

At action 517, the gaming facilitator 125 sends ticket information and confirmation to the mobile device 121.

At action 519, the gaming facilitator 125 sends gaming processing and balancing information including transaction logs to the gaming system 127.

FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram illustrating a process for a game play. At action 551, the mobile device 121 downloads the mobile application from the gaming facilitator 125. At action 553, the user 101 uses the mobile application running on the mobile device 121 to select game play and ticketing options. The user 101 may make the game play and ticketing option selections at anytime prior to entering an approved retail location. At action 555, the user 101 presses a checkout or ready to play button displayed on the mobile device 121. The mobile application generates a barcode that is displayed on the screen of the mobile device 121. At action 557, the user scans the barcode displayed on the screen of the mobile device 121 at a terminal 570 installed at the retail location. The barcode may encode some or all of the information associated with the game play request. The terminal 570 may be an ATM machine, a gas pump, a stand alone device, etc. At action 559A, the mobile device 121 sends a request associated with the game play request to the gaming facilitator 125. The request may include some or all of the information encoded in the barcode. At action 559B, the terminal 570 sends transaction information to the gaming facilitator 125 informing the gaming facilitator 125 of the transaction with the mobile device 121. The transaction information may include some or all of the information encoded by the barcode. The request may include an image of the barcode, a value representing information encoded by the barcode, or other information to verify that the user was in the location at which the barcode was read.

For example, the barcode may include an identifier number that is preassigned to the mobile device 121 or randomly generated. The mobile device 121 may send the gaming request including all the game play parameters and the identifier number to the gaming facilitator 125. In such an embodiment, the terminal 570 may only send the identifier decoded from the barcode to the gaming facilitator 125. In receipt of this information, the gaming facilitator 125 obtains the game play request information and the information needed to verify that the mobile device 121 was in the same location as the terminal 570. In other embodiments, the mobile application may encode all of the game play request information in the barcode read by the terminal 570. In such an embodiment, it is not necessary that the mobile device 121 sends any information to the gaming facilitator 125 and all of the information needed to obtain the game play request and verify that the mobile device 121 is in the same location as the terminal 570 can be provided to the gaming facilitator 125 by the terminal 570. It will be appreciated that the information transmitted to the gaming facilitator 125 by the mobile device 121 and the terminal 570 may be apportioned between these devices in any of a number of ways and the above discussion is exemplary in nature.

At action 561, the gaming facilitator 125 verifies the location of the mobile device 121 based on the barcode information provided by the terminal 570. As mentioned previously, the physical location of the user and the mobile device at the time of the payment transaction can have implications for the legality of the transaction, depending upon the laws of the jurisdiction in which the gaming authority is operating.

At action 563A, the gaming facilitator 125 processes payment authorization through a direct gateway with financial system 129. In other embodiments, payment may be processed directly between the mobile device 121 and the financial system 129 as shown in action 563B. In still other embodiments, payment may be processed by tapping the mobile device 121 to a Near Field Communications (NFC) Transaction Anchor Point (TAP) 572 as shown in action 563C. In this embodiment, the NFC TAP 572 initiates the payment instruction to the financial system 129, as shown in action 563D. In embodiments where the terminal 570 is capable of performing financial transactions, such as an ATM or a device equipped with a bill reader, the terminal 570 may register the transaction with the financial system 129 at action 563E and accept the payment from the user.

At action 565, the gaming facilitator 125 sends a ticketing request to the gaming system 127, for example the lottery authority in the jurisdiction, which verifies and completes the gaming transaction.

At action 567, the gaming facilitator 125 sends ticket information and confirmation to the mobile device 121.

At action 569, the gaming facilitator 125 sends gaming processing and balancing information including transaction logs to the gaming system 127.

The above-described playing processes allow for gaming purchases such as lottery games on mobile devices while providing the assurances and verification that the sale of the gamine products occurred within the borders of the government regulating the games.

In some embodiments, the gaming facilitator 125 provides a retailer signup program as part of the mobile application. Prior to the sale of gaming (e.g., lottery) tickets a retail location or merchant may be required to be included on a list of pre-approved locations or merchants. This list can be maintained by an authority appropriate to ensure that the geographic location of the retail location or merchant has been confirmed. This could be the gaming facilitator or the gaming authority.

Embodiments of the terminal 570 may include an existing ATM or NFC device at a retailer, a dedicated gaming/lottery device at the retailer, or a device placed in conjunction with a new or existing lottery terminal.

Application Logic

Lottery system logic may reside at a device associated with the lottery system, such as the terminal or the gaming facilitator, within the gaming application on the mobile device, or both at the device and the host.

FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram illustrating a host-based input system 610. With the host-based terminal 610, the mobile device 611 is a user input/display device. The application logic 614 that determines what happens with each input and provides decision-making for what to display to the user occurs on a remote host 612. The host 612 contains automated lottery system logic and may gather the user input by providing the appropriate screens to the mobile device 611 (for example, to a gaming application running on the mobile device 611) and forwarding the user input to the gaming facilitator 613 either through an intermediary communications exchange server (not shown) or to the gaming facilitator 613 directly.

FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating a terminal-based input system 620. Terminal-based input systems have automated lottery system application logic 624 on the mobile device 621, for example as part of the mobile application stored on the mobile device 621. Accordingly, the mobile device 621 has the ability to walk a user through the game process and may then send the information that the user has selected to a gaming facilitator 623 either through an intermediary communications exchange server (not shown) or to the gaming facilitator directly.

FIG. 6C is a schematic diagram illustrating a hybrid-based input system 630. Hybrid-based input systems have some application logic 634A stored at the mobile device 631, for example as part of the mobile application stored on the mobile device 631, to gather user input and display the game specific parameters, but also rely on some application logic 634B stored at a remote host 632 to control the automated lottery system flow. An example of this is a cell phone with an automated lottery system application where the application on the phone controls the layout of the screen, receives user input, and performs basic validation (e.g., prevents the user from inputting text into numeric fields). But the cell phone may communicate with a host 632 to determine the order of the screens to display. The remote host 632 may communicate with a gaming facilitator 633 either through an intermediary communications exchange server (not shown) or with the gaming facilitator directly.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are flow diagrams 700, 720, 740 illustrating a process for a mobile application-based play of an lottery system presented game. At action 702, a mobile application announces the ability for a user to play a game. In some embodiments, the mobile application may present a screen indicating that the mobile application is capable of providing game plays to the user. If a user decides to play a game, the mobile application requests that the user input identification information at action 704. For example, the mobile application may ask the user for their preferred language at action 704. For example, the mobile application may request that the user swipe a debit card and enter their debit card pin or provide information regarding an account with an eWallet platform at action 704.

The mobile application may optionally request that the user verify their age at action 706 if the user's age has not been verified by previous input at the mobile application. The mobile application may also optionally present a list of game options available through the mobile application at action 708. The list may include games that will become available at a future time and an indication that those games will be available in the future.

At action 710, the mobile application may present options for the selected game. For example, the mobile application may present the number of tickets available for purchase, game play times available, etc. at action 710. The terminal may also ask the user whether they would like to have their numbers sent to them or a link to their numbers sent to them. The mobile application presents the cost associated with the user's selections as well as any necessary legal disclosures at action 712. At any point in the process, the user may cancel the transaction at action 701.

The user scans a barcode at the retail location, and at action 713, the mobile application sends gaming information collected from the user to a gaming facilitator at action B. The barcode may be static displayed at the retail location on a sign or display or it may be dynamic generated by a terminal device such as an ATM or gas pump. The user may be required to make a selection following a prompt displayed on the terminal to request that the terminal display the barcode. In embodiments where the terminal generates a dynamic (for example random) barcode, the terminal may inform the gaming facilitator and/or gaming authority that the barcode has been generated along with an identifier to identify the barcode. The generated barcode may be valid only for a limited time. Static barcodes may also be valid only for a limited time.

As discussed above, in some embodiments, the mobile application displays the barcode, which is read by a terminal at the retail location at action 713. The terminal then informs the gaming facilitator of the read barcode.

The gaming facilitator may verify information format of the information sent by the terminal at action 722. For example, at action 722, the gaming facilitator may determine whether the information is sufficient and complete for a certain game play. The gaming facilitator may also ensure that the information is not corrupt. The gaming facilitator may also verify a user's age if their driver's license was presented at the terminal. If a driver's license is required by the game, but was not presented at the terminal, the gaming facilitator may cancel the transaction. If the transaction is canceled, the terminal may display a cancel message indicating the reason for the cancellation.

At action 723, the gaming facilitator verifies the location of the user. For example, the gaming facilitator may verify the location of the terminal that generated the barcode by referring to a pre-approval of the terminal with the gaming facilitator and/or the lottery authority. The gaming facilitator may also refer to a list of barcodes that are currently valid.

The gaming facilitator may also confirm the location of the retail location at which the barcode was read in embodiments where the mobile application generates the barcode.

At optional action 724, the gaming facilitator may look up the user to determine preferences for that user. These preferences can include a list of pre-stored or favorite numbers to be used in the game play. Other preferences can include whether the user desires automatic redemption of winning plays, or manual redemption through the delivery of a redemption code to the mobile device 121.

At optional action 726, the gaming facilitator may determine whether the user has opted out of the gaming system, whether the user has already hit their spending limit for a certain time period, etc. If either determination is affirmatively made at optional action 726, then the gaming facilitator sends a message back to the mobile application to display to the user at action 738 and the process may begin again with the same or a new user at action A. If the determination is not affirmatively made at optional action 726, then the process continues.

At action 727, the gaming facilitator may request a transfer of funds for the transaction. For example, the gaming facilitator may request that a payment processor verify the user PIN number, whether enough funds are available in the user account for the transaction, and to transfer the funds. The payment processor determines whether the pin is correct and whether funds are available and sends a response to the gaming facilitator. The gaming facilitator receives the response from the payment processor at action 728. The response may include, for example, verification from the payment processor whether the PIN is correct, whether funds are available, and/or whether the funds were transferred. If the gaming facilitator receives verification that the PIN is correct, that sufficient funds are available, and that the funds have been transferred at action 730, the gaming facilitator generates random numbers or uses user-specified numbers for the game play at action 732. If the gaming facilitator receives notification that the PIN is incorrect, that sufficient funds are not available, or that the funds were not transferred at action 730, the gaming facilitator sends a message back to the terminal to display to the user at action 738 and the process may begin again with the same or a new user at action A. A request for the desired number of tickets and games along with game information is sent by the gaming facilitator to the lottery operator at action C.

The lottery operator validates information received from the gaming facilitator and generates tickets if the information is validated at action 742. The gaming facilitator determines whether the tickets were generated correctly at action 744. If the tickets were not generated correctly, the gaming facilitator requests a funds reversal to the payment processor, and the payment processor may reverse the funds back to the user account at action 756. The gaming facilitator sends a message back to the mobile application to display to the user at action 738 and the process may begin again with the same or a new user at action A. If the tickets were generated correctly, the gaming facilitator will store game play information at action 746. The gaming facilitator sends to the terminal game play numbers, transaction numbers, and a confirmation of the transaction. The mobile application may prompt the user to indicate whether to receive a receipt electronically or obtain a barcode for use in redeeming winnings at action 748. If the mobile device is equipped with a printer or configured to access a printer, the mobile application may prompt the user to indicate whether to receive a printed receipt. If the user selects to print the receipt, the terminal prints the receipt at action 752 and the process may begin again with the same or a new user at action A. If the user selects to receive the receipt electronically, the terminal gathers user information and sends the electronic receipt at action 750. The process may begin again with the same or a new user at action A.

Host-based mobile applications are mobile applications that receive instructions from a host instead of having internal local logic. Accordingly, a process for a host-based play of a lottery system presented game is slightly different than the mobile application-based play. A host-based terminal is connected to a host from the beginning of a transaction or at each step requiring new information between user actions, whereas a mobile application-based terminal might connect to the host or to a gaming facilitator after certain decisions and actions are taken by a user during a transaction. Being connected earlier allows the host-based mobile application to query a gaming facilitator database for information about the user at an earlier time in the transaction. This is also the case for mobile application-based play flow where the mobile application has a substantially constant connection such as with a network connection like Wi-Fi or CDMA/GSM.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are flow diagrams 800, 820, 840 illustrating a process for a host-based play (and mobile application-based play where the mobile application has a substantially constant connection) of an automated lottery system presented game. At action 802, a mobile application announces the ability for a user to play a game. For example, the mobile application may present a screen indicating that the mobile application is capable of providing game plays to the user. If a user decides to play a game, the mobile application requests that the user input identification information at action 804. In some embodiments, the mobile application may ask the user for their preferred language at action 804. In some embodiments, the mobile application may request that the user swipe a debit card and enter their debit card pin or provide information regarding an account with an eWallet platform at action 804.

In an embodiment, at optional action 805, the gaming facilitator may determine whether the user has opted out of the automated gaming system, whether the user has already hit their spending limit for a certain time period, etc. If either determination is affirmatively made at optional action 805, then the gaming facilitator system cancels the transaction at action 801. The system may send a message back to the mobile application to display to the user and the process may begin again with the same or a new user at action A. If the determination is not affirmatively made at optional action 805, then the process continues at action 806.

The mobile application also requests that the user verify their age at action 806 if the user's age has not been verified by previous input at the terminal. The mobile application sends card information to a gaming facilitator (via a mobile device) at action 808 to determine whether the user is a registered user. The mobile application may present a list of game options available at the user's location at action 810. The list may include games that will become available at a future time and an indication that those games will be available in the future. At action 812, the mobile application may present options for the selected game. For example, the mobile application may present the number of tickets available for purchase, game play times available, etc. at action 812. The mobile application may also ask the user whether they would like to have their numbers sent to them or a link to their numbers sent to them. The mobile application presents the cost associated with the user's selections as well as any necessary legal disclosures at action 814. At any point in the process, the user may cancel the transaction at action 801.

The user scans a barcode at the retail location, and at action 815, the mobile application sends gaming information collected from the user to a terminal host at action B. The barcode may be static displayed at the retail location on a sign or display or it may be dynamic generated by a terminal device such as an ATM or gas pump. The user may be required to make a selection following a prompt displayed on the terminal to request that the terminal display the barcode. In embodiments where the terminal generates a dynamic (for example random) barcode, the terminal may inform the gaming facilitator and/or gaming authority that the barcode has been generated along with an identifier to identify the barcode. The generated barcode may be valid only for a limited time. Static barcodes may also be valid only for a limited time.

As discussed above, in some embodiments, the mobile application displays the barcode, which is read by a terminal at the retail location at action 815. The terminal then informs the gaming facilitator of the read barcode.

At action 822, a terminal host determines based on the information sent from the mobile application that the transaction is a gaming facilitator transaction. The host may forward the information to the gaming facilitator. The gaming facilitator may verify information format of the information sent by the mobile application at action 824. For example, at action 824, the gaming facilitator may determine whether the information is sufficient and complete for a certain game play. The gaming facilitator may also ensure that the information is not corrupt. The gaming facilitator may also verify a user's age if their driver's license was presented at the terminal. If a driver's license is required by the game, but was not presented at the terminal, the gaming facilitator may cancel the transaction. If the transaction is canceled, the terminal may display a cancel message indicating the reason for the cancellation.

At action 825, the gaming facilitator verifies the location of the user. For example, the gaming facilitator may verify the location of the terminal that generated the barcode by referring to a pre-approval of the terminal with the gaming facilitator and/or the lottery authority. The gaming facilitator may also refer to a list of barcodes that are currently valid.

The gaming facilitator may also confirm the location of the retail location at which the barcode was read in embodiments where the mobile application generates the barcode.

In an embodiment, at optional action 826, the gaming facilitator may look up the user to determine preferences for that user. At action 826, the gaming facilitator may determine whether the user has opted out of the gaming system, whether the user has already hit their spending limit for a certain time period, etc. If either determination is affirmatively made at action 826, then the gaming facilitator sends a message back to the mobile application (e.g., via the mobile device) host to display to the user at action 838 and the process may begin again with the same or a new user at action A. If the determination is not affirmatively made at action 826, then the process continues.

At action 827, the gaming facilitator may request a transfer of funds for the transaction. For example, the gaming facilitator may request that a payment processor verify the user PIN number, whether enough funds are available in the user account for the transaction, and to transfer the funds. The payment processor determines whether the pin is correct and whether funds are available and sends a response to the gaming facilitator. The gaming facilitator receives the response from the payment processor act action 828. The response may include, for example, verification from the payment processor whether the PIN is correct, whether funds are available, and/or whether the funds were transferred.

The gaming facilitator receives verification from the payment processor whether the PIN is correct, whether funds are available, and/or whether the funds were transferred at action 828. If the gaming facilitator receives verification that the PIN is correct, that sufficient funds are available, and that the funds have been transferred at action 830, the gaming facilitator generates random numbers or uses user-specified numbers for the game play at action 832. If the gaming facilitator receives notification that the PIN is incorrect, that sufficient funds are not available, or that the funds were not transferred at action 830, the gaming facilitator sends a message back to the terminal (e.g., via the terminal host) to display to the user at action 838 and the process may begin again with the same or a new user at action A. A request for the desired number of tickets and games along with game information is sent by the gaming facilitator to the lottery operator at action C.

The lottery operator validates information received from the gaming facilitator and generates tickets if the information is validated at action 842. The gaming facilitator determines whether the tickets were generated correctly at action 844. If the tickets were not generated correctly, the gaming facilitator requests a funds reversal to the payment processor, and the payment processor may reverse the funds back to the user account at action 856. The gaming facilitator sends a message back to the terminal to display to the user at action 838 and the process may begin again with the same or a new user at action A. If the tickets were generated correctly, the gaming facilitator will store game play information at action 846. The gaming facilitator sends to the terminal (e.g., via the terminal host) game play numbers, transaction numbers, and a confirmation of the transaction. The terminal may prompt the user to indicate whether to print a receipt at the terminal or receive a receipt electronically at action 848. If the user selects to print the receipt, the terminal prints the receipt at action 852 and the process may begin again with the same or a new user at action A. If the user selects to receive the receipt electronically, the terminal gathers user information and sends the electronic receipt at action 850. The process may begin again with the same or a new user at action A.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a gaming facilitator system 900. System 900 may include a terminal 910, a payment processor 920, a gaming facilitator reporting data center 930, a gaming authority 940, gaming authority operators 950 and gaming facilitator transaction data center 960.

The gaming facilitator transaction data center 960 is in communication with the terminal 910, the payment processor 920, the gaming facilitator reporting data center 930 and the gaming authority 940. Using alternative connectivity, the gaming facilitator transaction data center 960 may be in communication with the gaming authority operators 950. In some embodiments, the communication with the gaming facilitator transaction data center 950 may be made via communications exchange servers 961, 963 and 965. Firewalls 921, 931, 941, 942, 951, 952 and 967-974 provide isolation between various systems and components in the system 900.

The payment processor 920 may include payment processor data center 923. The payment processor 920 connects with the gaming facilitator transaction data center 960 via a secure connection (e.g., MPLS or other “private” connection) between the firewall 921 at the payment processor 920 and the firewall 968 at the gaming facilitator transaction data center 960.

The gaming facilitator reporting data center 930 may include reporting system 934 and reporting database 936. The gaming facilitator reporting data center 930 connects with the gaming facilitator transaction data center 960 via a secure connection (e.g., MPLS or other “private” connection) between the firewall 931 at the gaming facilitator reporting data center 930 and the firewall 969 at the gaming facilitator transaction data center 960.

The gaming authority 940 may include a reporting interface 944 and a transaction validation database 946. The gaming authority 940 connects with the gaming facilitator transaction data center 960 via a secure connection (e.g., MPLS or other “private” connection) between the firewall 941 at the gaming authority 940 and the firewall 973 at the gaming facilitator transaction data center 960. Also, the gaming authority 940 connects with the firewall 932 of the gaming facilitator reporting data center 930 via a secure connection (e.g., MPLS or other “private” connection.

The gaming authority operators 950 may include a lottery ops (operations) 954, an FEP 956 and lottery terminals 958. The lottery ops 954 is in communication with the FEP 956, which is in communication with the lottery terminals 958. The gaming authority operators 950 connects with the gaming authority 950 via a secure Ethernet connection (e.g., B to B API) between the firewall 942 at the gaming authority 940 and the firewall 951 at the gaming authority operators 950. Alternate connectivity may be provided between the firewall 974 of the gaming facilitator transaction data center 960 and the firewall 952 of the gaming authority operators 950.

The gaming facilitator transaction data center 960 may include a gaming facilitator FEP 980, core logic 982, transaction logic 984, lottery logic 986, a gaming facilitator database 988 and logging security 990. The core logic 982, the transaction logic 984 and the lottery logic 986 are in communication with one another. The core logic 982 is in communication with the gaming facilitator FEP 980 through firewall 975. The gaming facilitator database 988 is in communication with the transaction logic 984. The logging security 990 is in communication with the gaming facilitator 980, the core logic 982, the transaction logic 984 and the gaming facilitator database 988.

It will be appreciated that the above discussion of a ticket, a gaming ticket, a lottery ticket, etc is not limited to a particular type of ticket or transaction and the embodiments described above are applicable to all types of electronically facilitated transactions including, among other things, e-ticketing, the sale of e-tickets, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 10, in some embodiments, the device 121 (either a mobile device or a non-mobile device) comprises a first communication interface for communicating with a game-playing terminal 1034. In some embodiments, the game-playing terminal 1034 may be at a gas station. For example, the game-playing terminal 1034 may be integrated into a gas pump or be near a gas pump. Additionally or alternatively, the game-playing terminal 1034 may be located in a store in the gas station. Additionally or alternatively, the game-playing terminal 1034 may be a point-of-sale device, a kiosk, an ATM machine, a coupon terminal, an arcade game-playing machine, a vending machine, etc. In some embodiments, the device 121 may comprise or be comprised in a motor vehicle. The first communication interface comprises a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) interface. The game-playing terminal 1034 may be either an electronic or non-electronic terminal and may transmit a code to the device 121 over the first communication interface. Codes from the game-playing terminal 1034 may be transmitted continuously or during certain periods of time (e.g., when activated). A code transmitted from the game-playing terminal 1034 may be a unique identifier for the game-playing terminal 1034. The reception of the code by the device 121 and/or the transmission of the code by the game-playing terminal 1034 may be referred as a transaction conducted between the device 121 and the game-playing terminal. Once the code is received by the device 121, the device 121 sends a request to at least one of the gaming facilitator 125 or the financial system 129. The request may be sent via a second communication interface (e.g., a Wi-Fi or cellular interface). The second communication interface may be associated with longer range communication compared to the first communication interface. The request may be processed based on the location of the device 121 associated with conducting the transaction or sending the request being an approved location associated with the game. The request may be processed by at least one of the device 121, the game-playing terminal 1034, the gaming facilitator 125, or the financial system 129. The location may be determined by the device 121, by the game-playing terminal 1034, by the gaming facilitator 125, or the financial system 129. In some embodiments, the location of the device 121 may be determined using GPS coordinates of the device 121. Multi-factor authentication may be used to determine the location of the device 121. For example, the location of the game-playing terminal 1034 (e.g., the identity of the game-playing terminal 1034) may be used along with the GPS coordinates of the device 121 to determine the location of the device 121.

In some embodiments, the device 121 receives a request from a user of the device. The request may be a game-playing request or a game-purchasing request. Either request may be associated with a mobile game-playing application. In some embodiments, the mobile game-playing application is initiated on the device 121 upon detecting the presence of the game-playing terminal 1034 within the proximity of the device 121 (e.g., upon detecting a code received at the device 121 from the game-playing terminal 1034). In some embodiments, the device 121 may be configured to prompt a user to play a game on the mobile device in response to determining the device 121 is within a threshold distance (e.g., radius) of the game-playing terminal 1034. In some embodiments, the request transmitted via the second communication interface may comprise at least one of the request received from the user of the device or the code received from the game-playing terminal 1034. In some embodiments, the request is processed (e.g., approved) based on determining a period of validity associated with the code received from the device 121 has not expired. In some embodiments, the request is further processed (e.g., further approved) based on determining a gaming authority associated with the game, and determining the user is located in an approved jurisdiction associated with the gaming authority for the game.

Referring now to FIG. 11, FIG. 11 presents a method for processing game-playing transactions. At block 1110, the method comprises receiving (e.g., on a second communication interface) information (e.g., from a user device) associated with a game-playing transaction conducted (e.g., on a first communication interface), via a BLE interface, between a user device and a game-playing terminal. In some embodiments, a BLE interface may refer to any form or type of Bluetooth technology. A BLE interface is not limited to any particular minimum or maximum communication range. A BLE interface is also not limited to any particular minimum or maximum energy. In some embodiments, both the first communication interface and the second communication interface may be the same communication interface such that the information is received via the same communication interface on which the game-playing transaction is conducted. The game-playing transaction is associated with a request for playing a game. At block 1120, the method comprises determining a location of the user device associated with the game. In some embodiments, the location of the user device is determined by at least one of the user device, the game-playing terminal, or the device that receives (e.g., from the user device) information associated with the game-playing transaction. At block 1130, the method comprises determining the user device is located in an approved location associated with the game. This determination may be made by the user device or by the device that receives the information associated with the game-playing transaction. At block 1140, the method comprises processing (e.g., approving) the game-playing transaction based on determining the user device is located in the approved location associated with the game. In some embodiments, processing the game-playing transaction is based on determining an identity of the merchant or game-playing terminal associated with the location of the user device or the game-playing terminal. Once the identity of the merchant or game-playing terminal is determined, the game-playing transaction is approved based on determining the identified merchant or game-playing terminal is on a list of approved merchants or game-playing terminals. In some embodiments, the game-playing terminal (or the merchant) may be identified by accessing a correlation matrix and looking up a corresponding merchant (or game-playing terminal).

In some embodiments, a method is provided for processing game-playing transactions. The method comprises: receiving or sending information associated with a game-playing transaction between a user device and a game-playing apparatus, wherein the game-playing transaction is associated with a game; determining a location of the user device or the game-playing apparatus associated with the game-playing transaction; determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in an approved location associated with the game; processing a game-playing transaction or enabling initiation or conduction of the game-playing transaction based on at least one of: determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in the approved location associated with the game based on cross-referencing second location information or identification information, and determining the location matches the second location information or identification information, or determining a period of validity associated with the information has not expired, wherein the game-playing transaction is conducted on a first communication interface, and wherein the information associated with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on the first communication interface or a second communication interface.

In some embodiments, the identification information comprises merchant information.

In some embodiments, the information associated with the game-playing transaction comprises at least one of game-playing request information, pre game-playing transaction information, post game-playing transaction information, in-game information, game information, user information, location information, user device identification information, game-related information, or game-playing apparatus identification information.

In some embodiments, the game-playing transaction comprises at least one of a gaming transaction, a game purchase transaction, a pre-game transaction, a post-game transaction, an in-game transaction, a game-related transaction, a location determining transaction, a user device identifying transaction, or a game-playing apparatus identifying transaction.

In some embodiments, the location comprises or is determined based on global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the user device or the game-playing apparatus, or location information or identification information of the game-playing apparatus or the user device.

In some embodiments, the user device comprises a mobile computing device.

In some embodiments, the user device comprises a mobile phone.

In some embodiments, the user device comprises a mobile device, and wherein the game-playing apparatus comprises a remote computing apparatus.

In some embodiments, the information associated with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on the first communication interface.

In some embodiments, the user device comprises a mobile device, and wherein the game-playing apparatus comprises a remote computing apparatus.

In some embodiments, the user device comprises a fuel pump, and wherein the game-playing apparatus comprises a remote server.

In some embodiments, the user device comprises a mobile device, and wherein the game-playing apparatus comprises a local computing apparatus.

In some embodiments, the information associated with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on the first communication interface.

In some embodiments, the information associated with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on the second communication interface.

In some embodiments, the second communication interface is located between the user device and game-playing apparatus.

In some embodiments, the second communication interface is located between the game-playing apparatus and a remote computing apparatus.

In some embodiments, the first communication interface is located between the user device and the game-playing apparatus.

In some embodiments, the second communication interface is located between the user device and the game-playing apparatus.

In some embodiments, the game-playing apparatus comprises a gaming facilitator.

In some embodiments, the game-playing facilitator comprises a firewall, logging security, core logic, and transaction logic.

In some embodiments, the game-playing apparatus comprises a communications exchange server.

In some embodiments, the game comprises a lottery game.

In some embodiments, the game comprises a non-lottery game.

In some embodiments, the game-playing transaction was conducted between the user device and the game-playing apparatus.

In some embodiments, the user device is integrated with a fuel pump.

In some embodiments, the processing the game-playing transaction or enabling initiation or conduction of the game-playing transaction is based on determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in the approved location associated with the game based on cross-referencing second location information or identification information, and determining the location matches the second location information or identification information.

In some embodiments, the processing the game-playing transaction or enabling initiation or conduction of the game-playing transaction is based on determining a period of validity associated with the information has not expired.

In some embodiments, the location information comprises a parameter, and the second location information comprises a second parameter.

In some embodiments, the receiving or sending information is executed before the game-playing transaction between the user device and the game-playing apparatus.

In some embodiments, the receiving or sending information is executed after the game-playing transaction between the user device and the game-playing apparatus.

In some embodiments, the receiving or sending information is executed substantially simultaneously with the game-playing transaction between the user device and the game-playing apparatus.

In some embodiments, the determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in the approved location associated with the game comprises cross-referencing the second location information or identification information, and determining the location matches the second location information or identification information.

In some embodiments, the first communication interface comprises at least one of a Bluetooth interface, a near-field communication (NFC) interface, a code-based interface, a Wi-Fi interface, or a cellular interface.

In some embodiments, the first communication interface and the second communication interface are the same communication interface.

In some embodiments, the location is determined based on global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the device.

In some embodiments, the user device comprises a non-electronic user device or wherein the game-playing apparatus comprises a non-electronic game-playing apparatus.

In some embodiments, the user device or the game-playing apparatus comprises at least one of a pump, an ATM, a servicing station, a retail station, a local computing apparatus, or a remote computing apparatus.

In some embodiments, the user device or the game-playing apparatus comprises a local computing apparatus and a remote computing apparatus.

In some embodiments, the user device comprises a local computing apparatus and a remote computing apparatus.

In some embodiments, the game-playing apparatus comprises a local computing apparatus and a remote computing apparatus.

In some embodiments, the receiving or sending information comprises receiving or sending information between a second user device and the game-playing apparatus.

In some embodiments, the local computing apparatus comprises a retail station.

In some embodiments, a method is provided for processing game-playing transactions. The method comprises: receiving or sending information associated with a game-playing transaction conducted or to be conducted between a user device and a game-playing apparatus, wherein the game-playing transaction is associated with a game, wherein the game is associated with or comprises second information; determining a location of the user device or the game-playing apparatus associated with the game-playing transaction; determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in an approved location associated with the game; processing a game-playing transaction or enabling initiation or conduction of the game-playing transaction based on at least one of: determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in the approved location associated with the game based on cross-referencing second location information or identification information, and determining the location is consistent with the second location information or identification information, or determining a period of validity associated with the information or the second information has not expired, wherein the game-playing transaction is conducted or is to be conducted on a first communication interface, and wherein the information associated with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on the first communication interface or a second communication interface.

In some embodiments, a method is provided for processing game-playing transactions. The method comprises: receiving or sending information associated with a game-playing transaction conducted or to be conducted between a user device and a game-playing apparatus, wherein the game-playing transaction is associated with a game, wherein the game is associated with or comprises second information; determining a location of the user device or the game-playing apparatus associated with the game-playing transaction; processing a game-playing transaction or enabling initiation or conduction of the game-playing transaction based on at least one of: determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in the approved location associated with the game based on cross-referencing second location information or identification information, and determining the location is consistent with the second location information or identification information, or determining a period of validity associated with the information or the second information has not expired, wherein the game-playing transaction is conducted or is to be conducted on a first communication interface, and wherein the information associated with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on the first communication interface or a second communication interface.

In some embodiments, the location is consistent with the second location information or identification information when the location matches the second location information or identification information.

In some embodiments, a method is provided for processing game-playing transactions. The method comprises: receiving or sending information associated with a game-playing transaction between a user device and a game-playing apparatus, wherein the game-playing transaction is associated with a game, wherein the game is associated with or comprises second information; determining a location of the user device or the game-playing apparatus associated with the game-playing transaction; determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in an approved location associated with the game; modifying or configuring the user device or the game-playing apparatus based on the user device or the game-playing apparatus being located in the approved location associated with the game; processing a game-playing transaction or enabling initiation or conduction of the game-playing transaction based on at least one of: determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in the approved location associated with the game based on cross-referencing second location information or identification information, and determining the location is consistent with the second location information or identification information, or determining information associated with the location meets third information (e.g., parameter information), or determining a period of validity associated with the information or the second information has not expired, wherein the game-playing transaction is conducted or is to be conducted on a first communication interface, and wherein the information associated with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on the first communication interface or a second communication interface.

In some embodiments, modifying or configuring the user device or the game-playing apparatus comprises modifying or configuring a user interface of the user device or the game-playing apparatus.

In some embodiments, modifying or configuring the user device or the game-playing apparatus comprises modifying or configuring a hardware element of the user device or the game-playing apparatus.

In some embodiments, modifying or configuring the user device or the game-playing apparatus comprises modifying or configuring a software element of the user device or the game-playing apparatus.

In some embodiments, a method for processing game-playing transactions is provided. The method comprises: receiving or sending information associated with a game-playing transaction between a user device and a game-playing apparatus, wherein the game-playing transaction is associated with a game, wherein the game is associated with or comprises second information; determining a location of the user device or the game-playing apparatus associated with the game-playing transaction; determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in an approved location associated with the game; modifying or configuring the user device or the game-playing apparatus based on the user device or the game-playing apparatus being located in the approved location associated with the game, and based on at least one of: determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in the approved location associated with the game based on cross-referencing second location information or identification information, and determining the location is consistent with the second location information or identification information, or determining a period of validity associated with the information or the second information has not expired, wherein the game-playing transaction is conducted or is to be conducted on a first communication interface, and wherein the information associated with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on the first communication interface or a second communication interface.

In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided for processing game-playing transactions. The apparatus comprises a computing device processor configured for: receiving or sending information associated with a game-playing transaction conducted or to be conducted between a user device and a game-playing apparatus, wherein the game-playing transaction is associated with a game, wherein the game is associated with or comprises second information; determining a location of the user device or the game-playing apparatus associated with the game-playing transaction; determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in an approved location associated with the game; processing a game-playing transaction or enabling initiation or conduction of the game-playing transaction based on at least one of: determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in the approved location associated with the game based on cross-referencing second location information or identification information, and determining the location is consistent with the second location information or identification information, or determining a period of validity associated with the information or the second information has not expired, wherein the game-playing transaction is conducted or is to be conducted on a first communication interface, and wherein the information associated with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on the first communication interface or a second communication interface.

In some embodiments, the user device or the game-playing apparatus comprises at least one of a pump, an ATM, a servicing station, a retail station, a local computing apparatus, a remote computing apparatus, or the apparatus.

In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises at least one of a pump, an ATM, a servicing station, a retail station, a local computing apparatus, a remote computing apparatus, a user device, or the game-playing apparatus.

In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises or is comprised in a gaming facilitator.

In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises or is comprised in a customized gaming facilitator.

In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises or is comprised in a communications exchange server.

In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided for processing game-playing transactions. The apparatus comprises a computing device processor configured for: receiving or sending information associated with a game-playing transaction between a user device and a game-playing apparatus, wherein the game-playing transaction is associated with a game, wherein the game is associated with or comprises second information; determining a location of the user device or the game-playing apparatus associated with the game-playing transaction; determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in an approved location associated with the game; modifying or configuring the user device or the game-playing apparatus based on the user device or the game-playing apparatus being located in the approved location associated with the game, and based on at least one of: determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in the approved location associated with the game based on cross-referencing second location information or identification information, and determining the location is consistent with the second location information or identification information, or determining a period of validity associated with the information or the second information has not expired, wherein the game-playing transaction is conducted or is to be conducted on a first communication interface, and wherein the information associated with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on the first communication interface or a second communication interface.

In some embodiments, a fuel pump is provided for processing game-playing transactions. The fuel pump comprises a computing device processor associated configured for: receiving or sending information associated with a game-playing transaction between a user device and a game-playing apparatus, wherein the game-playing transaction is associated with a game; determining a location of the user device or the game-playing apparatus associated with the game-playing transaction; determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in an approved location associated with the game; processing a game-playing transaction or enabling initiation or conduction of the game-playing transaction based on at least one of: determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in the approved location associated with the game based on cross-referencing second location information or identification information, and determining the location is consistent with the second location information or identification information, or determining a period of validity associated with the information has not expired, wherein the game-playing transaction is conducted or is to be conducted on a first communication interface, and wherein the information associated with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on the first communication interface or a second communication interface.

In some embodiments, processing a game-playing transaction or enabling initiation or conduction of the game-playing transaction is further based on verifying or validating an identity (e.g., name, age, other identification information) associated with a user of the user device or game-playing apparatus. The identity of the user may be verified or validated using any method, including the method described in U.S. application Ser. No. 14/856,421, filed Sep. 16, 2015, published as US 2017/0076293.

The present application incorporates-by-reference the entirety of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/757,512, filed Feb. 1, 2013, published as US 2013/0196733, titled “Systems and Methods for Integrated Game Play Through the Use of Proximity-Based Communication on Smart Phones and Hand Held Devices,” for all purposes.

The present application incorporates-by-reference the entirety of U.S. Application No. 61/593,762, filed Feb. 1, 2012, titled “Systems and Methods for Integrated Game Play and Sales of State Sponsored Lottery Products Through the Use of Near Field Communication on Smart Phones and Hand Held Devices,” for all purposes.

The present application incorporates-by-reference the entirety of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/856,421, filed Sep. 16, 2015, published as US 2017/0076293, titled “Creating, verification, and integration of a digital identification on a mobile device” for all purposes.

The present application incorporates-by-reference the entirety of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/842,709, filed Mar. 15, 2013, published as US 2014/0274314, titled “Systems and Methods for Integrated Game Play at Payment-Enabled Terminals,” for all purposes. The present application incorporates-by-reference the entirety of PCT/US14/22877, filed Mar. 10, 2014, titled “Systems and Methods for Integrated Game Play at Payment-Enabled Terminals,” for all purposes.

The present application incorporates-by-reference the entirety of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/055,866, filed Feb. 29, 2016, titled “Validating a Short-Range Mobile Device Transaction Using a Long-Range Mobile Device Transaction,” for all purposes.

The present application incorporates-by-reference the entirety of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/280,196, filed Oct. 24, 2011, published as US 2012/0244930, titled “Game Play System for Automated Terminals,” for all purposes. U.S. application Ser. No. 13/280,196 claim priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/734,207, filed Apr. 11, 2007, titled “Systems and Methods for Providing Lottery Game Play Through an Unmanned Terminal,” which claims priority to U.S. Application No. 60/886,818, filed Jan. 26, 2007, titled “Systems and Methods for Integrating ATM and Lottery Functions,” both of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

The present application incorporates-by-reference the entirety of PCT/US12/61744, filed Oct. 24, 2012, titled “Game Play System for Automated Terminals,” for all purposes. The present application incorporates-by-reference the entirety of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/839,558, filed Mar. 15, 2013, titled “Game Play System for Automated Terminals,” for all purposes.

The present application incorporates-by-reference the entirety of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/829,776, filed Mar. 14, 2013, titled “Systems and Methods for Providing Lottery Game Play Through an Unmanned Terminal,” for all purposes. The present application incorporates-by-reference the entirety of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/839,469, filed Mar. 15, 2013, titled “Systems and Methods for Providing Lottery Game Play Through an Unmanned Terminal,” for all purposes. The present application incorporates-by-reference the entirety of PCT/US08/51955, filed Jan. 24, 2008, titled “Systems and Methods for Providing Lottery Game Play Through an Unmanned Terminal,” for all purposes.

While various embodiments in accordance with the disclosed principles have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and are not limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the invention(s) should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the claims and their equivalents issuing from this disclosure. Furthermore, the above advantages and features are provided in described embodiments, but shall not limit the application of such issued claims to processes and structures accomplishing any or all of the above advantages.

Additionally, the section headings herein are provided for consistency with the suggestions under 37 C.F.R. 1.77 or otherwise to provide organizational cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize the invention(s) set out in any claims that may issue from this disclosure. Specifically and by way of example, although the headings refer to a “Technical Field,” such claims should not be limited by the language chosen under this heading to describe the so-called technical field. Further, a description of a technology in the “Background” is not to be construed as an admission that technology is prior art to any invention(s) in this disclosure. Neither is the “Summary” to be considered as a characterization of the invention(s) set forth in issued claims. Furthermore, any reference in this disclosure to “invention” in the singular should not be used to argue that there is only a single point of novelty in this disclosure. Multiple inventions may be set forth according to the limitations of the multiple claims issuing from this disclosure, and such claims accordingly define the invention(s), and their equivalents, that are protected thereby. In all instances, the scope of such claims shall be considered on their own merits in light of this disclosure, but should not be constrained by the headings herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for processing, or enabling initiation or conduction of, game-playing transactions, the method comprising: receiving or sending information associated with a game-playing transaction between a user device and a game-playing apparatus, wherein the game-playing transaction is associated with a game, wherein the game is associated with or comprises game information; determining, using one or more computing device processors, a location of the user device or the game-playing apparatus associated with the game-playing transaction; determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in an approved location associated with the game; processing the information or the game-playing transaction, or enabling initiation or conduction of the game-playing transaction, based on at least one of: determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in the approved location associated with the game based on cross-referencing second information or identification information, and determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the location is at least partially consistent with the second information or the identification information; or determining, using the one or more computing device processors, a period of validity associated with the information or the game information has not expired, wherein the game-playing transaction is conducted or is to be conducted on a first communication interface, and wherein the information associated with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on the first communication interface or a second communication interface.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification information comprises merchant information.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the location comprises or is determined based on: global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the user device or the game-playing apparatus, or location information or second identification information of the user device or the game-playing apparatus.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising initiating, by at least one of the user device or the game-playing apparatus, printing of an instrument associated with the game at a printer.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the information associated with the game-playing transaction comprises at least one of game-playing request information, pre game-playing transaction information, post game-playing transaction information, in-game information, game information, user information, location information, user device identification information, game-related information, game-playing apparatus information, or game-playing apparatus identification information, or wherein the game-playing transaction comprises at least one of a gaming transaction, a game initiation transaction, a game completing transaction, a pre-game transaction, a post-game transaction, an in-game transaction, a game-related transaction, an identification transaction, an information processing transaction, a location determining transaction, a user identification transaction, a user device identifying transaction, a game-playing apparatus-related transaction, or a game-playing apparatus identifying transaction.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second information comprises location information.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second information comprises second identification information.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the user device comprises a mobile device configured for game-playing transactions, and wherein the game-playing apparatus comprises a remote computing apparatus.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the information associated with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on the first communication interface.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the user device comprises a non-mobile device configured for game-playing transactions, and wherein the game-playing apparatus comprises a remote computing apparatus.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the user device comprises a fuel pump, and wherein the game-playing apparatus comprises a remote computing apparatus.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the user device comprises a mobile device configured for game-playing transactions, and wherein the game-playing apparatus comprises a local computing apparatus.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the information associated with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on the first communication interface.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the information associated with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on the second communication interface.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the second communication interface is located between the user device and the game-playing apparatus.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the second communication interface is located between the game-playing apparatus and a remote computing apparatus.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the first communication interface is located between the user device and the game-playing apparatus.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the second communication interface is located at least one of between the user device and the game-playing apparatus, or between the game-playing apparatus and a remote computing apparatus.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the game-playing apparatus comprises a gaming facilitator.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the gaming facilitator comprises a firewall, logging security, core logic, and transaction logic.
 21. The method of claim 1, wherein the game-playing apparatus comprises a communications exchange server.
 22. The method of claim 1, wherein the game comprises a lottery game.
 23. The method of claim 1, wherein the game comprises a non-lottery game.
 24. The method of claim 1, wherein the game information comprises expiration information.
 25. The method of claim 1, wherein determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the location is at least partially consistent with the second information or the identification information comprises determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the location matches the second information or the identification information.
 26. The method of claim 1, further comprising modifying the user device or the game-playing apparatus based on the location of the user device or the game-playing apparatus.
 27. The method of claim 1, wherein a physical instrument associated with the game is captured or scanned by at least one of the user device or the game-playing apparatus.
 28. The method of claim 1, wherein the user device or the game-playing apparatus comprises or is comprised in a motor vehicle.
 29. The method of claim 1, wherein processing the game-playing transaction, or enabling initiation or conduction of the game-playing transaction, is based on validating, using the one or more computing device processors, an age of a user associated with the user device or the game-playing apparatus.
 30. The method of claim 1, wherein the game information is comprised in the information.
 31. The method of claim 1, wherein processing the game-playing transaction, or enabling initiation or conduction of the game-playing transaction, is based on validating, using the one or more computing device processors, an identity of a user associated with the user device or the game-playing apparatus.
 32. The method of claim 1, wherein the information is comprised in the game information.
 33. The method of claim 1, wherein the game-playing transaction comprises a gaming operation.
 34. The method of claim 1, wherein the game-playing transaction comprises a game-related operation.
 35. The method of claim 1, wherein determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in the approved location associated with the game based on cross-referencing the second information or the identification information, and determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the location is at least partially consistent with the second information or the identification information; or determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the period of validity associated with the information or the game information has not expired, comprises determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in the approved location associated with the game based on cross-referencing the second information or the identification information, and determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the location is at least partially consistent with the second information or the identification information.
 36. The method of claim 1, wherein determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in the approved location associated with the game based on cross-referencing the second information or the identification information, and determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the location is at least partially consistent with the second information or the identification information; or determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the period of validity associated with the information or the game information has not expired, comprises determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the period of validity associated with the information or the game information has not expired.
 37. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving or sending the information is executed before the game-playing transaction is conducted between the user device and the game-playing apparatus.
 38. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving or sending the information is executed after the game-playing transaction is conducted between the user device and the game-playing apparatus.
 39. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving or sending the information is part of the game-playing transaction or executed substantially simultaneously with the game-playing transaction between the user device and the game-playing apparatus.
 40. The method of claim 1, wherein the first communication interface comprises at least one of a Bluetooth interface, a near-field communication (NFC) interface, a code-based interface, a Wi-Fi interface, a cellular interface, or a wired interface.
 41. The method of claim 1, wherein the first communication interface and the second communication interface are the same communication interface.
 42. The method of claim 1, wherein the user device comprises a non-electronic user device or wherein the game-playing apparatus comprises a non-electronic game-playing apparatus.
 43. The method of claim 1, wherein the user device or the game-playing apparatus comprises or is integrated with or comprised in at least one of a pump, an ATM, a servicing station, a retail apparatus, an entity, a local computing apparatus, or a remote computing apparatus.
 44. The method of claim 1, wherein the user device comprises a fuel pump.
 45. The method of claim 1, wherein the user device comprises a local computing apparatus and a remote computing apparatus.
 46. The method of claim 1, wherein the game-playing apparatus comprises a local computing apparatus and a remote computing apparatus.
 47. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving or sending the information further comprises at least one of receiving or sending the information between a second user device and the game-playing apparatus, or between the user device and a second game-playing apparatus.
 48. The method of claim 1, wherein the location of the user device or the game-playing apparatus comprises or is based on second identification information associated with the user device or the game-playing apparatus.
 49. The method of claim 1, wherein the user device comprises a mobile computing device configured for conducting game-playing transactions or a mobile telecommunication device configured for conducting the game-playing transactions.
 50. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more computing device processors are comprised in at least one of the user device, the game-playing apparatus, one or more local computing apparatuses, or one or more remote computing apparatuses.
 51. The method of claim 1, wherein the game-playing apparatus comprises a beacon.
 52. The method of claim 1, further comprising prompting a user of the user device to play the game in response to determining the user device is within a threshold distance of the game-playing apparatus.
 53. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving or sending the information associated with the game-playing transaction between the user device and the game-playing apparatus occurs in response to determining the user device is within a certain distance of the game-playing apparatus.
 54. The method of claim 1, wherein the game-playing apparatus is further configured for initiating prompting a user of the user device to play the game in response to determining the user device is within a threshold distance of the game-playing apparatus.
 55. The method of claim 1, wherein the first communication interface comprises a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) interface.
 56. The method of claim 1, wherein the location is determined based on input received at at least one of the user device or the game-playing apparatus.
 57. The method of claim 1, wherein the second communication interface is associated with longer range communication compared to the first communication interface.
 58. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more computing device processors are comprised in at least one of the user device, the game-playing apparatus, one or more local computing apparatuses, or one or more remote computing apparatuses.
 59. An apparatus for processing, or enabling initiation or conduction of, game-playing transactions, the apparatus comprising one or more gaming-configured processors configured for: receiving or sending information associated with a game-playing transaction between a user device and a game-playing apparatus, wherein the game-playing transaction is associated with a game, wherein the game is associated with or comprises game information; determining a location of the user device or the game-playing apparatus associated with the game-playing transaction; determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in an approved location associated with the game; processing the information or the game-playing transaction, or enabling initiation or conduction of the game-playing transaction, based on: determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in the approved location associated with the game based on cross-referencing second information or identification information, and determining the location is at least partially consistent with the second information or the identification information, wherein the game-playing transaction is conducted or is to be conducted on a first communication interface, and wherein the information associated with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on the first communication interface or a second communication interface.
 60. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the user device comprises a mobile computing device configured for game-playing transactions or a mobile telecommunication device configured for the game-playing transactions.
 61. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the user device or the game-playing apparatus comprises or is integrated with or comprised in at least one of a pump, an ATM, a servicing station, a retail apparatus, an entity, a local computing apparatus, a remote computing apparatus, or the apparatus.
 62. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the game comprises a lottery game.
 63. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the game comprises a non-lottery game.
 64. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the one or more gaming-configured processors are specifically configured for processing, or enabling initiation or conduction of, the game-playing transaction.
 65. An apparatus for processing, or enabling initiation or conduction of, game-playing transactions, the apparatus comprising one or more software-customized processors configured for: receiving or sending information associated with a game-playing transaction between a user device and a game-playing apparatus, wherein the game-playing transaction is associated with a game, wherein the game is associated with or comprises game information; determining a location of the user device or the game-playing apparatus associated with the game-playing transaction; determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in an approved location associated with the game; processing the information or the game-playing transaction, or enabling initiation or conduction of the game-playing transaction, based on: determining a period of validity associated with the information or the game information has not expired, wherein the game-playing transaction is conducted or is to be conducted on a first communication interface, and wherein the information associated with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on the first communication interface or a second communication interface.
 66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the user device comprises a mobile computing device configured for game-playing transactions or a mobile telecommunication device configured for the game-playing transactions.
 67. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the user device or the game-playing apparatus comprises or is integrated with or comprised in at least one of a pump, an ATM, a servicing station, a retail apparatus, an entity, a local computing apparatus, a remote computing apparatus, or the apparatus.
 68. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the game comprises a lottery game.
 69. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the game comprises a non-lottery game.
 70. An apparatus for processing, or enabling initiation or conduction of, game-playing transactions, the apparatus comprising one or more computing device processors configured for: receiving or sending information associated with a game-playing transaction between a user device and a game-playing apparatus, wherein the game-playing transaction is associated with a game, wherein the game is associated with or comprises game information; determining location-related information associated with the user device or the game-playing apparatus associated with the game-playing transaction; determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in an approved location associated with the game; modifying or configuring the user device or the game-playing apparatus based on the user device or the game-playing apparatus being located in the approved location associated with the game; processing the information or the game-playing transaction, or enabling initiation or conduction of the game-playing transaction, based on at least one of: determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in the approved location associated with the game based on cross-referencing second information or identification information, or determining a period of validity associated with the information or the game information has not expired, wherein the game-playing transaction is conducted or is to be conducted on a first communication interface, and wherein the information associated with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on the first communication interface or a second communication interface.
 71. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the modifying or configuring the user device or the game-playing apparatus comprises modifying or configuring a user interface of the user device or the game-playing apparatus, at least one of the user device or the game-playing apparatus being configured for game-playing transactions.
 72. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the modifying or configuring the user device or the game-playing apparatus comprises modifying or configuring a software component of the user device or the game-playing apparatus, at least one of the user device or the game-playing apparatus being configured for game-playing transactions.
 73. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the modifying or configuring the user device or the game-playing apparatus comprises modifying or configuring a hardware component of the user device or the game-playing apparatus, at least one of the user device or the game-playing apparatus being configured for game-playing transactions.
 74. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the location-related information of the user device or the game-playing apparatus comprises second identification information associated with the user device or the game-playing apparatus.
 75. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the user device or the game-playing apparatus comprises or is integrated with or comprised in at least one of a pump, an ATM, a servicing station, a retail apparatus, an entity, a local computing apparatus, a remote computing apparatus, or the apparatus.
 76. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the apparatus is integrated with or is comprised in at least one of a pump, an ATM, a servicing station, a retail apparatus, a local computing apparatus, a remote computing apparatus, the user device, or the game-playing apparatus.
 77. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the apparatus comprises or is comprised in a software-customized gaming facilitator.
 78. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the apparatus comprises or is comprised in a software-customized communications exchange server.
 79. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the apparatus is integrated with a fuel pump.
 80. The method of claim 70, wherein the game comprises a lottery game.
 81. The method of claim 70, wherein the game comprises a non-lottery game.
 82. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the information is associated with a code presented by the user device and scanned by the game-playing apparatus.
 83. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in the approved location associated with the game based on cross-referencing the second information or the identification information, or determining the period of validity associated with the information or the game information has not expired, comprises determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in the approved location associated with the game based on cross-referencing the second information or the identification information.
 84. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in the approved location associated with the game based on cross-referencing the second information or the identification information, or determining the period of validity associated with the information or the game information has not expired, comprises determining the period of validity associated with the information or the game information has not expired.
 85. A method for processing information associated with, or enabling initiation or conduction of, game-playing transactions, the method comprising: receiving, from a user device, or sending, to the user device, information associated with a game-playing transaction between a mobile device configured for game-playing transactions and one or more game-playing apparatuses, wherein the game-playing transaction is associated with a game; determining, using one or more computing device processors, identification information associated with the user device or the one or more game-playing apparatuses; determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the user device is an approved user device or the one or more game-playing apparatuses are approved one or more game-playing apparatuses, the approved user device or the approved one or more game-playing apparatuses being associated with an approved location associated with the game; processing the information, or enabling initiation or conduction of the game-playing transaction, based on at least one of: determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the user device or the one or more game-playing apparatuses is the approved user device or the approved one or more game-playing apparatuses, respectively, based on cross-referencing second information or second identification information, and determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the identification information is at least partially consistent with the second information or the second identification information, or determining, using the one or more computing device processors, a period of validity associated with the game-playing transaction has not expired, wherein the information associated with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on a first communication interface, and wherein the game-playing transaction is conducted or will be conducted on a second communication interface.
 86. The method of claim 85, wherein the user device or the one or more game-playing apparatuses comprises or is associated with, integrated with, or comprised in at least one of a pump, an ATM, a servicing station, a retail apparatus, an entity, a local computing apparatus, or a remote computing apparatus.
 87. The method of claim 85, wherein the user device comprises a retail apparatus configured for processing the information associated with the game-playing transaction.
 88. The method of claim 85, wherein the one or more game-playing apparatuses comprises a remote server configured for the game-playing transactions.
 89. The method of claim 85, wherein the mobile device comprises a mobile phone configured for the game-playing transactions.
 90. The method of claim 85, wherein the one or more game-playing apparatuses comprises one or more local or remote game-playing apparatuses.
 91. The method of claim 85, wherein determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the user device or the one or more game-playing apparatuses is the approved user device or the approved one or more game-playing apparatuses, respectively, based on cross-referencing the second information or the second identification information, and determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the identification information is at least partially consistent with the second information or the second identification information, or determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the period of validity associated with the game-playing transaction has not expired, comprises: determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the user device or the one or more game-playing apparatuses is the approved user device or the approved one or more game-playing apparatuses, respectively, based on cross-referencing the second information or the second identification information, and determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the identification information is at least partially consistent with the second information or the second identification information.
 92. The method of claim 85, wherein determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the user device or the one or more game-playing apparatuses is the approved user device or the approved one or more game-playing apparatuses, respectively, based on cross-referencing the second information or the second identification information, and determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the identification information is at least partially consistent with the second information or the second identification information, or determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the period of validity associated with the game-playing transaction has not expired, comprises: determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the period of validity associated with conducting the game-playing transaction has not expired.
 93. The method of claim 85, wherein the game-playing transaction comprises at least one of a gaming transaction, a game initiation transaction, a game completing transaction, a pre-game transaction, a post-game transaction, an in-game transaction, a game-related transaction, a location determining transaction, an identification transaction, an information processing transaction, a user identification transaction, a user device identifying transaction, a mobile device identifying transaction, a game-playing apparatus-related transaction, or a game-playing apparatus identifying transaction.
 94. The method of claim 85, wherein the receiving or sending the information is executed before the game-playing transaction.
 95. The method of claim 85, wherein the receiving or sending the information is executed after the game-playing transaction.
 96. The method of claim 85, wherein the receiving or sending the information is executed as a part of the game-playing transaction.
 97. The method of claim 85, wherein the one or more computing device processors are comprised in at least one of the user device, the one or more game-playing apparatuses, the mobile device, one or more local computing apparatuses, or one or more remote computing apparatuses.
 98. The method of claim 85, wherein the one or more computing device processors are comprised in the one or more game-playing apparatuses.
 99. The method of claim 85, wherein the first communication interface is located between the user device and the one or more game-playing apparatuses, and the second communication interface is located between the mobile device and the one or more game-playing apparatuses.
 100. The method of claim 85, wherein the one or more game-playing apparatuses comprises one or more local or remote game-playing apparatuses.
 101. The method of claim 85, wherein the information comprises the identification information.
 102. The method of claim 85, wherein the identification information associated with the user device or the one or more game-playing apparatuses comprises or is associated with or comprised in at least one of user device identification information, game-playing apparatus identification information, merchant information, merchant store information, or location information.
 103. The method of claim 85, wherein the game-playing transaction comprises sending third information from the mobile device to the one or more game-playing apparatuses.
 104. The method of claim 85, wherein the first communication interface or the second communication interface comprises at least one of a Bluetooth-based interface, a near-field communication (NFC) interface, a code-based interface, a Wi-Fi interface, a cellular interface, or a wired interface.
 105. The method of claim 85, wherein the game comprises a lottery game.
 106. The method of claim 85, wherein the game comprises a non-lottery game. 